2008-07-07 Bigwig: Such an Important Person
Now, the Special English program, WORDS AND THEIR STORIES. (MUSIC) Some expressions describe people who are important, or at least who think they are. One such expression is, bigwig. In…
2008-06-30 Fish Expressions: This All Sounds Very Fishy
Now, the VOA Special English program, WORDS AND THEIR STORIES. (MUSIC) Americans use many expressions about fish and fishing. For example, if something sounds fishy, it may not be true.…
2008-06-23 Bird Words: Someone Who Eats Like a Bird Eats Very Little
Now, the VOA Special English program, \WORDS AND THEIR STORIES. (MUSIC) Today we explain some expressions about birds. For example, if something is for the birds, it is worthless or…
2008-06-15 Words and Their Stories: It’s Not Worth a Hill of Beans
Now, the VOA Special English program, WORDS AND THEIR STORIES. (MUSIC) In the early days of human history, people survived by hunting wild animals, or gathering wild grains and plants…
2008-06-09 More Numbers: Two Heads Are Better Than One
Now, the VOA Special English program, WORDS AND THEIR STORIES. (MUSIC) Last week, I told about the number one. Today, I will tell about expressions using other numbers. Some problems…
2008-06-01 Numbers: I, for One, Use These Expressions Often
Now, the VOA Special English program WORDS AND THEIR STORIES. (MUSIC) Today I will tell about expressions using numbers. Let us start with the number one. Numbers can be tricky.…
2008-05-25 Back, Shoulders and Chest: A Pat on the Back for a Job Well Done
Now, the VOA Special English program, WORDS AND THEIR STORIES. (MUSIC) There are many American expressions that use parts of the body. These include the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and…
2008-05-18 Medical Terms
Now, the VOA Special English program, WORDS AND THEIR STORIES. (MUSIC) Many professions have their own words and expressions. This is true for the medical profession. Doctors use many technical…
2008-05-11 Insect Expressions: I Don’t Mean to Bug You
Now, the VOA Special English program WORDS AND THEIR STORIES. (MUSIC) There are many American expressions about insects — like bees, for example. Bees are known as very hard workers.…
2008-05-04 A Chip on Your Shoulder: What Are You Going to Do About it?
Now, the VOA Special English program, WORDS AND THEIR STORIES. (MUSIC) Every week at this time we tell the story of words and expressions used in American English. Some of…
2008-04-27 To Touch All Bases: Baseball Rules
Now, the VOA Special English program, Words and Their Stories. (MUSIC) American English is full of colorful expressions. One such expression is, to touch all bases. It comes from the…
2008-04-23 Wild Cat
Now, the VOA Special English program, Words and Their Stories. Today, we tell about the word wildcat. (MUSIC) Humans have always depended on animals. From the beginning of human history,…
2008-04-20 Stock Market: The Business of Investing
I’m Phil Murray with Words and Their Stories, a program in Special English on the Voice of America. Today we tell about some American expressions that are commonly used in…
2008-04-06 Colors: I’m Feeling Very Blue Today
Now, the VOA Special English program, WORDS AND THEIR STORIES. (MUSIC) Every people has its own way of saying things, its own special expressions. Many everyday American expressions are based…
2008-03-30 Hands: She is Making Money Hand-Over-Fist
Now, the VOA Special English program, WORDS AND THEIR STORIES. (MUSIC) The hand has been a symbol through the ages and in many cultures. There are hundreds of expressions and…